The European values, including freedom of speech, religion, and sexual orientation, face strong opposition worldwide. Far right parties consistently attack these values, escalating their anti-democratic criticisms through hate speech, mainly fueled by the rapid spread of social media. As anticipated, the new US administration under President Donald Trump seeks to intimidate the EU and promote a social media environment that allows hate speech, including racism, while offering little to no protection for children.
According to Politico, Jim Jordan, the chairman of the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, demanding more information on how the EU will enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA)—its social media law—against American companies. Jordan insists that the Legal Affairs Committee be informed by 13 February about the DSA and any ongoing proceedings against US technology firms. He expressed that the new US administration is seriously concerned about how the DSA’s censorship provisions affect freedom of expression in the United States.
The letter further intensifies US pressure on the EU regarding its online content moderation rules, which have led to proceedings against social media platforms X and Meta. Violations of the rules may result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual global turnover or temporarily block the platform as a last resort. The DSA is becoming a significant point of contention between American and European lawmakers. The US views content moderation by platforms as more voluntary, and Jordan, along with other Republicans, is pressuring companies to abandon content moderation altogether. Elon Musk has criticised EU officials for their moderation policies. At the same time, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has urged US President Donald Trump to intervene and stop the EU from penalising American companies. Trump has complained about the EU’s technology policies, referring to the bloc’s technology fines as “a form of taxation.”
Jordan’s letter claims that the DSA could “restrict Americans’ constitutionally protected freedom of speech in the United States,” even if the rules only apply within the EU. Virkkunen has previously dismissed allegations that the DSA censors freedom of speech, stating that in Europe, freedom of expression is one of their core values and is both respected and protected by the Digital Services Act.
US Conservative bigotry against European values
However, who exactly is Jim Jordan who expresses concern about the DSA rules? He is one of the most conservative Republicans, known for his anti-abortion stance. He often uses the term “free speech” to mask his animosity towards those who do not share his views, labelling them as “liberals”.
Jordan enjoys the support of the American Conservative Union, which organises the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)—an event promoting far right ideas. What the Conservative bigotry cannot understand is that the DSA aims to protect European democracies and citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, women, obese individuals, and LGBTI persons, as well as ethnic and religious minorities. If large platforms remain uncontrolled, the values we uphold and our safety are at risk.
Musk’s attempts to interfere in European politics
Regarding Musk, he has made direct attempts against freedom in Europe, once attacking the German Chancellor and the UK Prime Minister while also promoting extremist far right parties and interfering in national elections.
In January, members of the European Parliament urged the European Commission to investigate Musk’s attempts to influence Germany’s elections. Musk openly supports the right-extremist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In a letter dated 4 January to Virkkunen, German MEP Damian Boeselager inquired whether Musk’s use of platform X complies with the transparency requirements outlined in the DSA.
“Many German and European citizens are increasingly concerned about the concentration of economic and political power in the hands of Elon Musk – especially since he seems to have no moral or other inhibitions to utilise his power to influence elections,” wrote Boeselager.
Boeselager highlighted indications that the owner of X hard-coded a multiplier into the platform’s code.
To gain insight into the interests of the major platforms, it is worth reading today’s Washington Post, which reported that a lobbying group representing Meta, Google, and other tech companies recently filed a lawsuit to block Maryland’s “Kids Code,“ one of several state laws aimed at enhancing protections for children on social media and other platforms.
